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US House Passes Permanent Ban On Internet Access Taxes
jfruh writes: In 1998, the U.S. Congress passed a law that temporarily banned all taxes imposed by federal, state, and local governments on Internet access and Internet-only services, a ban that has been faithfully renewed every year since. Now the U.S. House has passed a passed a permanent version of the ban, which also applies to several states that had passed Internet taxes before 1998 and were grandfathered in under the temporary law. The Senate must pass the bill as well by November 1 or the temporary ban will lapse.
Using taxes for internet is something completely different than taxing for using the internet. This law bans the latter. You're describing the former.
Seperation of power results in loss of power for all!
As it should be. We need fewer laws, not more of them.
As was previously pointed out, there is nothing in this bill to prevent PAYING FOR Internet services out of tax revenues, only that services can't be arbitrarily made more expensive by local governments, states, and the Federal government itself. There's also nothing preventing municipalities from building networks and Internet services - and they can charge for that service just like anyone else. They just can't charge a service fee AND a tax.
So your rant is based on a false premise.
To use your phrasing, it says we don't want governments shitting on the idea of having Internet access without paying a tax for the privilege.
"Somebody has to do something. It's just incredibly pathetic it has to be us."
--- Jerry Garcia
Social security was absolutely meant as a replacement for savings. It just didn't mandate away the ability to save money independently from paying social security. Savings is personal financial security with sole benefit, Social security is community financial security with a shared benefit.